HMS Captain 1870         

General Memorabilia (cont)

Salvaged memento

The following photographs and information has been provided by Peter Tidby -

"This piece has come down through the family. I believe it originated from my great grandfather Charles Addison who served on HMS Monarch. As I hope you will see it is 2.75" diameter and about 0.875" in thickness. The underside is slightly concave by about 0.0625" at the centre.

It seems to be a hard wood but I have insufficient knowledge to be able to identify which and appears to be of turned manufacture.

The writing may be in what we used to call black India ink and there is no evidence of any protective coat over the top.

I have been led to believe that there was a tradition where sailors would salvage items from a wreck and record the event by carving the details on them. I assume that this item is of a similar nature.

As HMS Monarch came across various debris during the search and had access to the boat in which the survivors came ashore, I assume that it was some a part of this.

It has been suggested that it may have been the top of a flag pole that was attached to the stern of one of the ships boats and the two small holes were where a loop was attached to take the toggle on the flag but could not say for sure if this is correct."